Explaining the Difference Between KEEP and DROP Statements in SAS

When working with data manipulation and management in SAS, understanding the difference between the KEEP and DROP statements is essential. These statements are used to control which variables are included or excluded in the output dataset.

KEEP Statement:

The KEEP statement in SAS is used to specify a list of variables that you want to retain in the output dataset. These variables will be included in the dataset, while all others will be excluded. This statement is useful when you only need a specific set of variables for your analysis.

DROP Statement:

On the other hand, the DROP statement is used to specify a list of variables that you want to exclude from the output dataset. All variables not listed in the DROP statement will be retained. This statement is helpful when you have a large number of variables and only want to exclude a few from the analysis.

It's important to note that both the KEEP and DROP statements can be used together in the same DATA step to fine-tune the selection of variables in the output dataset.

By leveraging the KEEP and DROP statements effectively, SAS users can efficiently manage their data and streamline the processing of datasets for analysis and reporting purposes.